This summer, Florida Gulf Coast University’s $28 million dollar health sciences facility received Gold-level certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Marieb Hall opened its doors in January of 2012 and is now the fifth building on FGCU’s campus to earn a LEED certification. These certifications are given by the nonprofit Green Building Council and are rated on a competitive system. Other LEED Certified buildings on campus include the Bower School of Music building and Academic Building 7, as well as Biscayne and Palmetto Halls in South Village.
The dean of the College of Health Professions and Social Work, Mitchell L. Cordova, says the Green Building Council evaluated Marieb Hall by looking closely at sustainability, water and energy efficiency, and indoor environmental quality and building materials.
According to Tom Mayo, Director of Facilities Planning, the LEED Certification is determined on a point-based system. 40 points is the minimum to receive basic LEED Certification, and points can reach higher than 80, giving a building Platinum Certification.
“We want to know our new buildings are sustainable and have LEED Certification to confirm it,” Mayo said. “It publically demonstrates our commitment to the environment and to our students, faculty and staff. “
President Wilson Bradshaw said in a press release that future construction plans at FGCU are being designed with these LEED standards in mind. Sustainability is a cornerstone of the University’s mission, and we value our position as a role model for the community,” Bradshaw said.
The programs based in Marieb Hall are physical therapy, nursing, athletic training, occupational therapy, human performance and social work. This building houses many instructional and research labs that provide students with hands-on experience in their selected medical professions. Marieb Hall has a simulated operating room, an intensivecare unit, a labor and delivery room and various medical suites.
Athletic Training student, senior Ryan Gillespie, is proud to see that the building he spends most of his time in is supporting the mission statement of the University.
“It’s really great to see that even after all these years, our vision at FGCU to be environmentally friendly still translates into everything we do here, including the mutlimillion dollar buildings,” Gillespie said. “Money well spent.”
Marieb Hall is named after Dr. Elaine Nicpon Marieb, who is a leading author of anatomy and physiology textbooks. Marieb donated $5 million to FGCU for scholarships and continued growth in all of the health science programs.
SEQUIL Systems, Inc. is an architectural sustainability advisor that assisted in the certification process. Marieb Hall achieved multiple efficiencies within its 60,000 square feet of construction.
According to SEQUIL, Marieb Hall achieves over 20 percent savings in energy consumption and 60 percent savings in water. The building was also acknowledged for using recycled building materials and for properly recycling 87 percent of al construction waste.
“This is a significant achievement for all of those who were involved in the planning, construction and finishing phases of Marieb Hall,” Cordova said.